English Department (Linguistics)
Cal Poly State University San Luis Obispo
Last updated 9/15/09
© 2009 Johanna Rubba

• Length: 8-10 pages, excluding photocopies of sample materials.
• Format: The paper must be
  • typed
  • double-spaced (not 1.5; check your line spacing)
  • you MUST number typed pages, and not by hand (photocopies may be hand-numbered)
  • The only font I will accept is a 12-pt. Times font: Times, Times Roman or Times New Roman.
  • 1" or 1.25" margins all around.
• If you do not know how to change these settings in your word processor, FIND OUT. Your paper will lose points if you do not conform to these requirements. Word processing programs such as Microsoft Word come with a Help  manual that gives decent instructions for most basic operations, such as setting margins, finding and replacing text, breaking to a  new page, etc. Take advantage of these.
• Sections: Divide your paper into sections according to each part or question; do not make it one continuous essay. Put your subtitles in boldface or underline them; set them at the left margin (not centered).
• Do not skip a line between paragraphs within a section; indent paragraphs. Word processing programs allow you to set an indent for a single paragraph. It will continue to use that indent unless you format a paragraph in a different way (for instance, centering a long quotation). If you want to return to your normal indent, you have to once again format the next paragraph you start.
• Watch out for very long paragraphs. A single paragraph should not take up half or more of a page. Break to a new paragraph and indent the new paragraph.
  
• Avoid starting a new section at the very bottom of the page; if you have room only for a subtitle, break to a new page. Use the "Insert Page Break" command. Use your print preview feature (under "File" or "Print") to check pagination before you print out your final draft. In a word processor, a "manual page break" is one that you command the program to put in, instead of letting it decide where to break to a new page.
• If you give examples of words in your discussion, enclose them in single quotes or italicize them, for example: "This activity directs students to build a word web of words that relate to the sea, such as 'fish', 'wave', 'current', 'ocean', 'seaweed', 'voyage', etc." or "This activity directs students to build a word web of words that relate to the sea, such as fish, wave, current, ocean, seaweed, voyage, etc."

Proofreading/editing:

At whatever level you eventually teach or write in your career, you will be expected to conform to the current standards for formal grammar, spelling, punctuation, paragraph formatting, etc. College professors vary a great deal in their expectations in this regard, but the state standards for both teachers and students expect full compliance. You can start working on that now.

• Use the spell-check function of your word processor. However, do not heed its instructions regarding hyphens ( - ). If you are unsure of a hyphen, check a dictionary. Do not use the grammar checker; 50% of its recommendations are likely to be wrong.
  
• Consult my  Editing Tips page for help with typical grammar, word choice, and punctuation problems. If I find the problems described on the Editing Tips page in your papers, you will definitely lose points. 
• More guidance is available in usage guides such as the MLA style manual and numerous college writing manuals. 
• Take advantage of our WRITING LAB, Bldg. 10 room 130. Tutors are there to help you remedy problems (NOT edit or proofread your paper). If you want their help, go there with a draft with enough time to make revisions they recommend. The Writing Lab is there to help you and you will be welcome there! Their web address is http://www.calpoly.edu/~wrtskils/writlab/.